Assault on Ghouta continues

For five long days Eastern Ghouta’s four hundred thousand people have been in hiding from the constant torrent of Russian and Syrian bombs. Hardly a soul has been seen moving on what’s left of the streets.

A world away in New York, stalemated diplomats are still meeting in the UN Security Council toiling to win even one day of ceasefire from Russian rejection.

This Damascus suburb has now suffered Aleppo’s fate. Medical charities say at least 23 hospitals have been damaged or destroyed since Sunday. The town of Douma is worst hit – local sources say at least 70 people – including women and children – have been killed there today alone.